Belt.



J. W. FOSTER & A. A. STODDARD.

Patented June 28, 1910.

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JACKSON W. FOSTER AND ALBERT A. STODDARD, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

BELT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 28, 1910.

Application filed February 19, 1910. Serial No. 544,811.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JACKSON W. Fosrnn and ALBERT A. STODDARD, citizens of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duvall, State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Belt, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed operatively to connect pulleys having a diverging, or V-shaped tread, a construction commonly encountered in motor-cycles.

One object of the invention is to provide a belt for structures of the above mentioned character, which will possess the required strength, coupled with the required flexibility, the belt being so constructed that it may readily be repaired at will.

Another object of the invention is to protect the blocks which enter into the construction of the belt, from being worn or indented by the flexible element whereby the blocks are connected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chain of novel and improved construction adapted to be employed in belts of the character herein specified.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for holding the flexible member in place within the contour of the blocks which form the belt so that the flexible member may be prevented from sliding, either lon itudinally or transversely, to the damage 0 the structure.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, delineated in the drawings, and specifically claimed, it being understood, that, within the scope of what is claimed, divers changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawlngs.

In the accompanyin drawings,Figure 1 is a fragmental longltudinal section of a belt constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the belt, upon the line AB of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan of the chain which enters into the construction of the belt; Fig. 4 is a perspective of one of the blocks shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective of a modified form of block; and .Fig. 6 is a perspective, delineating a still further modification of the block.

The invention includes a plurality of blocks 1 which may be of any desired contour, and fashioned from any desired ma terial, such, for instance, as leather or rubber. In the present instance, these blocks 1 are trapezoidal in outline. The side faces 2 of the blocks 1 are parallel, and the side face 2 of a given block is in contact with the corresponding face of the adjacent block, the construction being maintained throughout the entire belt.

The blocks 1 are provided with openings 3, adapted to be alined, to define a longitudinally extended chamber 4 in the belt. This chamber 4 is adapted for the reception of a flexible element, whereby the several blocks may be held together. This flexible element may be of any desired form; in the present instance a chain is shown, the same consisting of closed links 5, spaced apart, and disposed parallel to the inner area 6 of the belt. Flat strips 7 are disposed parallel to the inner area 6 of the belt, the ends of these strips being bent to form hooks 8, adapted to engage the adjacent ends of the links 5, thus forming a chain whereby the several blocks are held together as disclosed in Fig. 1.

If desired, a packing strip 9 may be dis posed in the chamber 4, the packing strip being located between the flexible element and the inner area 6 of the belt. This packing strip 9 serves to prevent the flexible member from cutting into or injuring the blocks 1. The packing strip may be fashioned from any desired material; leather or rubber being suitable. When thus fashioned, the packing strip will have some resiliency, and will ordinarily be held under compression by the flexible elements; in the present instance held under compression by the hooked portions 8 of the strips 7 the packing strip serving to press the hooked portions 8 outwardly against the outer wall of the chamber 4, thus retaining the chain in place and preventing the same from slipping either transversely, or longitudinally. By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that this packing strip not only bears against the portions 8 of the chain, but, as well, extends beneath the links 5, thus thoroughly protecting the blocks 1 against injury from the securing chain.

Owing to the outline .of the'blocks 1, the same will readil enter and maintain a firm hold upon, the aring tread of a pulley. It

1s not necessary, however, that the trapezoidal outline of the block, indicated in Fig. 4, be rigidly adhered to. For instance, the blocks may be fashioned as shown at 10 in Fig. 6, the edges 11 of the blocks being parallel, while the lower ends of the blocks are rounded as denotedby the numeral 12. In Fig. 5 a still further modification is shown, the portion 12 of Fig. 6 being replaced by wedge faces 14, and by converging edges 15. When the block delineated in Fig. 5 is employed, the belt will normally stand open in its inner area 6, the belt clos ing together as it passes about the pulleys.

In practical operation, the blocks 1 are threaded upon the securing chain, the ends of the chain being united to form the completed belt. Should one or more of the blocks become injured, or should some of the constituent elements of the chain be damaged, the portions thus rendered useless may readily be removed from the belt and replaced by new units, the operation taking but little time, and involving but a trifling expense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A belt consisting of resilient blocks having alined openings defining a longitudinal chamber in the belt; a flexible member located in the chamber and constituting a means for securing the blocks together; and a packing strip located in the chamber between the flexible member and the inner area of the belt, and upon which the flexible member is adapted to rest.

2. A belt consisting of resilient blocks having alined openings defining a longitudi nal chamber in the belt; a flexible member located in the chamber and constituting a means for securing the blocks together; and a resilient strip located within the chamber and normally compressedby the, flexible member to hold the flexible member against the wall of the chamber.

3. A belt consisting of a series of resilient blocks having alined openings defining a longitudinal chamber in the belt; spaced, closed links disposed within the chamber parallel to the inner area of the belt; flat strips disposed parallel to the inner area of the belt and having their ends fashioned into hooks to engage adjacent links to form a block-securing chain; and a packing strip located in the chamber between the securing chain and the inner area of the belt, and upon which the securing chain is adapted to rest.

4. A belt consisting of a series of resilient blocks having alined openings defining a longitudinal chamber in the belt; spaced, closed links disposed within the chamber parallel to the inner area of the belt; flat strips disposed parallel to the inner area of the belt and having their ends fashioned into hooks-to engage adjacent links to form a block-securing chain; and a resilient strip located in the chamber and normally com pressed by the hooks to hold the hooks against the wall of the chamber.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own, we have hereto afiixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

JACKSON W. FOSTER. ALBERT A. STODDARD.

Witnesses;

CHAS. W. KINNE, G. BRITTON. 

